On Sunday June 22, 2008 two people were fishing in Turtle Pond for almost three hours. Several calls were made to Parks Enforcement (646) 613-1200 but every time you reach someone at this number they either lie and tell you that someone is one the way or they tell you to call '311'. If you have the hour or so to waste on a '311' call you'll discover how useless that route is. The fact that Central Park encourages fishing and goes so far to pretend to teach children to fish shows the barbaric nature of those people who run the park. Too many times I hear people talk about what fun the 'sport' of fishing is when the fact is it is an act of torture. Especially the type of fishing encouraged in Central Park where you basically hook the poor animals to get some kind of gratification that you are smarter than the hungry creature which you enticed with a mortsel of food. What kind of lesson is to be learned by a child from this? Central Park Conservancy and the NYC Parks & Recreation department sees nothing in this. When a child is encouraged to have fun as they watch an innocent animal gasp for water as they are pulled up into the air and they hold up their 'catch' with pride for all their friends around to see. A Guide to Fishing in Central Park TIPS FOR SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL FISHING Catch and Release • Catch-and-Release means that all fish caught in Central Park’s water bodies must be put back into the water immediately. This is essential to maintain the ecological balance of the water body and prevent algae bloom, and to keep the fish alive. Fishing is prohibited in Turtle Pond. • Release fish quickly while they are still underwater, if possible. Throwing fish into the water may cause trauma or injure them. • When a fish is deeply hooked, do not tear out the hook, cut the leader or hook. • Use hooks without barbs. Barbs injure the fish and can cause infections. Wet your hands before handling fish; this will preserve their protective coating. • Lead anchors are prohibited. Use stainless steel or other non-toxic metals. You & Your Family’s Safety • Do not cast your fishing lines; flying hooks can cause serious injuries. • Stay out of the water: Central Park’s water bodies are deep and the mud bottom drops off sharply. For better footing, use the boulders, paths, and steps when you fish. Help Protect the Environment • Using paths, boulders, ramps, and steps next to the water also saves the plants and turf. Excessive trampling of the natural shoreline crushes and kills the grass and causes soil erosion. This creates poor living conditions for fish and other lake dwellers. • Waterfowl are frequent visitors to the Harlem Meer. Please move to another spot if water birds swim too close to your line. To prevent birds from getting tangled or hurt, please take all fishing line fragments and hooks with you when you leave, or deposit them with the rest of your litter in containers placed around the Meer. • Digging in the Park soil for worms is not allowed. Please use bait provided free at the Dana Center. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN FISHING AT THE HARLEM MEER • Bamboo fishing poles are available free of charge to the public with a valid picture I.D. • Fishing poles are issued Tuesday–Sunday from 11:00 am–3:00 pm at The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, on the north shore of the Harlem Meer at 110th Street near Fifth Avenue. • Bait –corn kernels –is free with the poles. • Group leaders must contact the Dana Discovery Center at least two weeks in advance to reserve poles. A maximum of 20 poles is issued per group. Please call 212-860-1370 for reservations. And Don’t Forget . . . Return your poles to Dana Discovery Center staff in the same condition as they were given to you. Untangle fishing line and secure hooks. Thank you! If you observe wildlife in trouble, or wish to report a Park-related problem, please call the 24-hour Park Hotline 311 for assistance. SOME FISH FOUND IN THE HARLEM MEER: Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, sunfish, Carp, Golden Shiner, Bluegill, Sunfish, Chain Pickerel WWW.CENTRALPARKNYC.ORG